Uncommon Places to Visit in Ontario, Canada
Hello. Saul here, bringing you a guest blogger entry here. Thank you for having me over. If you’re like me – someone who doesn’t mind tourist spots, but also doesn’t like crowded areas and long lines – then maybe some of these places will interest you.
For any other burgeoning travelers out there, or anyone visiting “The Falls” for the first time, here are some experiences to share for a trip in the springtime month of May.
From nature spots to dining areas and things in between, here are my “Top 15 Uncommon Places to Visit in Ontario, Canada” from my winter trips in December 2017 and March 2018 around Toronto and Hamilton. Let's go!
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Top 5 Uncommon Places to Visit in Niagara Falls, Canada
1. Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Dress for Success
Coming from ol’ sunny Southern California, I was expecting some pretty cold weather up in Canada, eh? It definitely wasn’t nearly as cold as I thought and I ended up overdressed for the warm weather. My suggestions: don’t wear more than 2 layers (a light jacket when you get closer to the cool mists from The Falls), bring some sunglasses, and put on your game face. There’s a lot to enjoy out here ;)
Travel and Lodging
You can reach almost everywhere via the WEGO bus system. Just make sure you have the right ticket for the right set of buses. That part can get a little confusing.
Hotels, motels, and everything in between are plentiful. Personally, I found that the higher up you can stay, the better your window view is in the morning/night.
2. Common and Uncommon Tourist Spots
Aside from its namesake attraction, you can find a fair array of touristy places (a wax museum, an upside-down house, a mirror maze, a Ferris wheel, a waterpark, and a casino), and other such sights clustered in a nice central hub in Niagara. If you’re a fan of chocolate, there’s a large Hershey’s store to sample; or if you’re aching for some café cuisine, Hard Rock Café is nearby as well. My partner and I had fun walking around, dancing randomly to the music playing overhead, and enjoying the tourist life.
If you’re more into the uncommon scene away from the hubbub of flashing cameras and selfie poses, there’s plenty of that to go around too.
Looking for some wine? Check online for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine tour. Wine and beer and even a meal – it’s quite the steal. Might I suggest Groupon for good deals galore ;)
How about some dinner? I highly suggest the restaurant, Taps:
3. Canada’s trademark “Poutine”
Similar to what some of us know as chilli cheese fries, but with cheese curds and gravy instead – is something to definitely try. If you’re not as daring a food adventurer, then Taps is also amazing for their Wednesday night deal: 10-piece chicken wings for $2 CAD, with a savory selection of flavors to choose from. Top that off with some beer and maybe you’ll finally “tap” out from the delicious delicacies.
4. Tim Hortons
5. Niagara’s Wildplay Adventure Course
Ok, ready to burn those calories? Niagara’s Wildplay Adventure Course is an exhilarating experience up high, granting you a gorgeous view of the river leading towards The Falls. You’ll probably sweat, so don’t layer up too much.
Top 10 Uncommon Places to Visit in Toronto and Hamilton
6. Hamilton is Home
“Home is where the heart is” – with my partner! Cheesiness aside, Hamilton’s saying “Hamilton is Home” is definitely true for fellow travelers seeking a cozy getaway from, well, home. Downtown Hamilton has your usual conveniences such as grocery stores and local restaurants, but also some unique local activities. Scattered outside the city are also various waterfalls that live up to its nickname, “The City of Waterfalls.” The BnB we rented, its view, and the city overall take this first spot on my list.
Frozen in the winter, this usually running (falling?) stream of water makes for an interesting sight for those of us used to warmer climates. If you listen carefully, however, you can hear the water traveling beneath the sheet of ice. And if you listen even closer still, you just might hear the sound of Paul Bunyon and his companion, Babe the Blue Ox, snoozing until spring. By bus, take the 5C Meadowlands and get off at 1039 Wilson. The trek to this fall from the bus stop was only about 10-15 minutes, depending on how quickly you walked (or how fast you wanted to get out of the cold air). There are plenty of other waterfalls to see, but we were too cold to keep exploring.
Continuing the nature trend but hopping over to Toronto, we have a gorgeous “chain of islands” collectively known as “Toronto Island.” The ferry we took from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal only had tickets to Ward Island; but once you land, you can easily trek along several paths that take you to each link of the chain. While undoubtedly greener and more vibrant in actual springtime, we had some nice views crossing bridges and strolling between trees. Great nature walk. But bring a jacket and a pair of gloves – the surrounding bodies of water definitely keep it quite cool. And definitely, DEFINITELY consider bringing a bike!
Back to the urban side of town, a little detour from Queen St. East and Augusta will lead you to this artistic alley. The walls’ artwork ranges from cute to dark and even some random Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. And if you get hungry while walking, there are many restaurants nearby ready to fuel your stomach before unleashing upon the world (or future walls) your inner artist.
10. Nook Café (Hamilton)
The first possible stop: coffee shops. Back in Hamilton once again, which is also the birthplace of Canada’s famed Tim Horton’s, we have Nook Café located on the corner of James and Bold St. What sets this place apart from the others is its potent Turkish coffee. While I’m no coffee connoisseur, my partner did enjoy the strong taste on that cold day.
11. Aztec’s Mine (Toronto)
Need more than just coffee? Jumping back to Toronto (after our coffee fix) is a deliciously aromatic and authentic Mexican restaurant on Bloor St. between Quebec and Clendenan Ave. We cannot begin to praise this place enough for its mouth-savoring enchiladas. The fish tacos were also tasty, but the enchiladas definitely took the proverbial cake.
12. O’Noir’s Dine-in-the-Dark (Toronto)
If you’re looking more for a dinner with a fun twist (not the kinky kind, mind you), then consider this blind experience, literally. As you might guess, you’ll be dining in an absolutely light-less room, with only your other senses to help you find your utensils, your food, and its inevitable path to your mouth. Not only are you, the customer, blind to the surroundings but so are your waiters/waitresses. Literally a “blind leading the blind” event, but they can sense things far better than we did. The meal is a little pricey, but the delicious and dark experience is WELL-worth it.
13. Heli Tours (Toronto)
My partner surprised me with this sky-high tour of Toronto after nabbing a voucher online (which is conveniently linked on the right-hand side of this blog site). From their website, the tour is $109 for two, lasting about 6-8 minutes. “That’s really short, SauL!” I hear you shouting telepathically. It sounds short, but when your feet are off the ground and at the mercy of the wind and helicopter turning some 45 degrees to the side, it can feel very long. As my favorite uncle used to say, “Time is relative.”
14. Alcatraz Escape Rooms (Toronto)
And now for something completely different before wrapping this up. Hear me out before you jump at the word association that comes with “Alcatraz.” If you’re a fan of CSI, Bones, or Law & Order, then this might possibly pique your interest. There are various themed rooms, each with its own set of scenarios and puzzles that more or less place you in a locked room with a timer to escape before you’re caught. Magnets, locks, secret compartments, and more impede your exit – all in all, testing not just your brain, but also your teamwork. Sadly, my partner and I didn’t escape in time; but we were pretty close with just us two.
And lastly, a very common activity: ice skating. So what makes it uncommon? It’s easy to miss, isn’t standing tall with a massive parking structure, and surprisingly doesn’t pop up on a typical Google search of “Toronto tourist attractions.” There’s a skate rental right beside the rink at a fair price, with food stands in front in case you get the munchies before, during or after skating. It’s beautiful in the day, but as you see in the picture above, it’s definitely something to check out once it gets a bit darker. Music plays in the background, arches light up, and a freshly cleaned ice rink awaits your steeled dancing feet. Queen and Bay St. eagerly await your visit.
We didn't wander off the beaten road much as time was short but check the other entry for more unique places to venture. And that’s it for this beginner traveler’s experience. I hope you found it as amusing as I did hanging upside-down to a chair for dear life.
Is Canada a bit too cold? Looking for some warmer Cali weather? Come back again later for some places to see in “The City of Angels,” Los Angeles, California. Thanks for reading!
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
Here is a Compilation of all my thrilling escapades over the past few years. Perhaps it's time to revisit your own bucket list and make some progress towards achieving your goals.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to Los Angeles, California and I have here a survival guide on how to go around the city.
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